What is the primary difference between Global Health and International Health?

Global health focuses on health issues that transcend national boundaries and require global cooperation, whereas international health traditionally focuses on health issues in foreign (usually developing) countries and binational aid.

How does the focus of Public Health differ from Global Health?

Public health typically focuses on the health of a specific community or nation through domestic policy, while global health addresses health equity and determinants that affect populations worldwide regardless of borders.

What is the difference between Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases?

Communicable diseases are infectious and can be spread between hosts (e.g., influenza), while non-communicable diseases are chronic, non-infectious conditions often linked to genetics or lifestyle (e.g., diabetes).

What is a common misconception about the 'Epidemiological Transition'?

A common error is assuming that communicable diseases disappear entirely as a country develops. In reality, they often persist alongside rising non-communicable diseases, creating a 'double burden of disease'.

Why is it incorrect to use only 'Life Expectancy' to measure a population's health?

Life expectancy only measures the quantity of life (years until death). It fails to account for the quality of life or the years spent living with chronic illness or disability, which metrics like HALE capture.

What mistake is often made when evaluating the impact of NGOs in global health?

Observers often overlook that NGOs, while flexible, may lack the long-term resources and legal authority of governments, potentially leading to fragmented or unsustainable health interventions if not coordinated.

Define 'Health Adjusted Life Expectancy' (HALE).

HALE is a population health metric that calculates the average number of years a person is expected to live in full health, accounting for years lived in less-than-full health due to disease or injury.

What does the term 'Prevalence' mean in a health context?

Prevalence refers to the total proportion of a population that has a specific disease or health condition at a particular point in time or over a specified period.

What is the 'One Health' approach?

One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral approach that recognizes the interconnection between the health of people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

What is the formula for calculating DALYs?

The DALY is calculated as the sum of Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to premature mortality and Years Lived with Disability (YLD) for people living with the health condition or its consequences.

Global Health | AQA A-Level Geography

Population & the Environment

Global Health

Summary

Global health is a multidisciplinary field focused on improving health outcomes and achieving health equity for all populations worldwide. It transcends national boundaries, addressing transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions through the collaborative efforts of international agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Global Health refers to health issues that cross national borders or have a global political and economic impact. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of health across the globe and the necessity for collective action.
Health Equity is the central goal of global health, aiming to eliminate health disparities that are systematic, avoidable, and unjust. It ensures that every individual has a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential.
One Health is an integrated approach that recognizes the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment, particularly relevant in managing zoonotic diseases.

2. Health Metrics & Measurement

HALE (Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy) measures the average number of years a person can expect to live in 'full health' by subtracting years lived in poor health from total life expectancy.
Morbidity vs. Mortality: Morbidity refers to the state of being symptomatic or unhealthy with a disease, while mortality refers to the incidence of death within a population.
Prevalence and Incidence: Prevalence is the total number of cases of a disease in a population at a specific time, whereas incidence measures the rate of new cases occurring over a period.
DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Year) is a universal metric representing the loss of one year of 'healthy' life. It is calculated as the sum of Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to premature mortality and Years Lived with Disability (YLD).

Graph showing the epidemiological transition where communicable diseases decrease and non-communicable diseases increase as a country develops economically.

3. Disease Classification

Communicable Diseases are infectious illnesses caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites) that can be transmitted from person to person or via vectors like water or insects. Examples include malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions that are not passed from person to person. They are often long-term and progress slowly, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases.
The Epidemiological Transition describes the shift in a population's disease profile from infectious diseases to chronic, lifestyle-related diseases as sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare improve.

4. Global Health Governance & Agencies

5. Key Distinctions

6. Exam Strategy & Tips